BRIEFS. health

Survey shows many residents overweight

In Panama City, a study has shown that 69 percent of the adult population has a weight problem.

The study was conducted by Dr. Anselmo J. McDonald, who studied 258 patients. Of those, 29 percent weighed an amount that was normal for their height, while 69 percent were overweight or obese. A small percent was underweight.

The study, conducted in August 2008, highlighted what Dr. McDonald characterized as a serious problem that is facing many people. Complicating the problem is that only about half of the people who participated in the survey identified obesity as being a health problem.

“It's a situation that may influence a person's decision in seeking help for the problem,” Dr. McDonald said.

The study also found that 32.4 percent of adults, and 66.7 percent of senior citizens, were diagnosed with hypertension during the last year. Only 8.1 percent of those surveyed said that they practiced any physical activity during their leisure time.